US Home Improvement Spending Remains Near Record Levels Despite Slow Housing Turnover

The Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) reported in its Q2 US Size of the Home Improvement Products Market Report that home improvement repairs and renovations continue to support spending, which remains near record levels despite slow housing turnover.

HIRI said larger-scale remodels are taking a back seat in 2026, while roughly 80% of homeowners are planning future maintenance projects.

Home-buying sentiment remained weak during the quarter, with first-time buyer activity falling to historic lows. According to HIRI, 73% of homeowners said now is a bad time to buy a new house, leading fewer people to move and more homeowners to reinvest in their existing homes.

The report found that home improvement project spending is driven more by disposable income than consumer sentiment, making homeowners’ financial capacity a more reliable predictor than consumer confidence.